The body of 67-year-old Barry Reeve, a former bus conductor for Eastern Counties, was discovered by police at his home on Corton Road, off City Road, Norwich, on February 26 last year.

Kelly Louise Barnes, 32, and Jodie Barnes, formerly Ramsbottom, 31, who are civil partners and live at Bixley Close, Norwich, are on trial at Norwich Crown Court accused of murdering Mr Reeve - a charge they both deny.

Kelly had told the jury that after she had been arrested and while on remand at Peterborough Prison Jodie admitted she had killed Mr Reeve.

But during cross examination yesterday Mukhtar Hussain QC, defending Jodie, said Kelly herself made a confession to Jodie’s sister who went to stay with Kelly to “look after” her after Jodie was remanded in custody for driving offences on February 14 last year.

Mr Hussain said while she was there Kelly told Jodie’s sister what she had done. He said: “You were reluctant to do so, but you did so.”

Kelly replied: “That’s not true. She’s lying.”

It was put to Kelly again that she told Jodie’s sister she had gone to Mr Reeve’s house, discovered he wanted sex with her and “kicked and punched him and did a terrible thing”.

Kelly said it was “all lies”.

Mr Hussain said Kelly had gone with Jodie to Mr Reeve’s house on February 9 last year to get some money.

He said she knew Mr Reeve used the “services” of women and offered to him “the services of Jodie” but it was Kelly Mr Reeve wanted.

He said: “When Mr Reeve tried to take your trousers down you laid into him, punching and kicking.”

Mr Hussain added it was then Kelly stole things from the bungalow.

Kelly said he was “very, very wrong”.

In cross examination by Karim Khalil QC, prosecuting, he asked Kelly if she ever saw or heard Mr Reeve being hurt. He said: “You never saw any harm done to that man?” Kelly replied: “None.”

Mr Khalil said: “And in spite of all the cutting never heard any harm being inflicted upon him?” She replied: “No”.

He said Mr Reeve was being tortured because he would not reveal his pin. Kelly, who claimed she did not know and did not see Mr Reeve being hurt or tortured, told Mr Khalil: “I did not murder Mr Reeve”.